U.S. State Department Fires Iranian-American Press Officer After Gaza Policy Disagreements

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug 24 (WMF News) — The U.S. State Department has terminated Shahed Ghoreishi, an Iranian-American contractor and its top press officer for Israeli-Palestinian affairs, following internal disputes over messaging on Gaza that senior officials deemed politically unacceptable, according to AP report.

Drafting Controversial Language

• Ghoreishi proposed including the line, “We do not support forced relocation of Gazans,” language previously consistent with statements from President Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff. State Department leadership rejected it, directing staff to “cut the line marked in red and clear.”(turn0search2)
• He also advocated expressing condolences for the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and other journalists in Gaza. That suggestion was also blocked by officials via internal email responses.

Disputes Over Language

Another point of contention involved terminology for the West Bank. Ghoreishi opposed using “Judea and Samaria,” a term favored by some right-wing Israeli officials. That stance added to growing tensions with embassy and State Department staff.(turn0news22, turn0search2)

Fallout and Internal Message

• Ghoreishi claimed he was terminated without explanation—and warned that the shift signals a disregard for opposition to “ethnic cleansing” or any messaging at odds with the administration’s hardline posture.
• Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott offered no comment on the case specifics, reiterating the administration’s zero tolerance for misconduct through leaks or politically motivated deviations from the President’s agenda.
• The incident comes amid a broader reshaping of U.S. foreign policy messaging under President Trump, including recent revocations of security clearances for officials critical of administration positions.

— Published by WMF News